Tweety arrived in the United States as a young girl in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. It was around 1979 when her parents made the difficult decision to leave their homeland in search of a better life. Today, Tweety is a proud U.S. citizen, wife, and mother of twins. She's especially thankful for how far her business has come.
In the quiet Southeast Texas city of Beaumont, where word-of-mouth matters more than flashy signs, one woman’s salon has become a go-to destination for locals from all walks of life. “Tweety,” a Vietnamese-born stylist, has spent years earning the trust — and hair loyalty — of an entire community. Her journey from immigrant to U.S. citizen and successful entrepreneur reflects the long-imagined American dream—even in the most unassuming places.
Tweety arrived in the United States as a young girl in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. It was around 1979 when her parents made the difficult decision to leave their homeland in search of a better life.
“I was just a child when I came to this country,” she explained. “The hardest part was learning the language. School was tough at first.”
Though she grew up immersed in American life, there was one milestone her family was slow to reach — becoming citizens.
“My mom and dad weren’t citizens, and neither was I,” she said. “But in my 20s, I decided it was time. I took a class and went through the process. My parents followed a little while later.”
Today, Tweety is a proud U.S. citizen, wife, and mother of twins. She’s especially thankful for how far her business has come.
“I think it was much harder for Asians in the ‘80s,” she reflected. “Now it’s better. A lot of Vietnamese and Asian Americans have their own salons, restaurants, and other businesses.”
Her salon has become a staple in the community, known for offering cutting-edge haircuts, coloring, and styling for people of all backgrounds.
One of her loyal clients, Rebecca, a Port Arthur native now living in Houston, drives back once or twice a month for her appointments.
“Yes, I’m a Black woman and yes, she is Vietnamese, and I can tell you this, Ms. Tweety is the only person who can frost and dye my hair perfectly, in my opinion,” Rebecca said. “That’s why I’ve been coming to her for close to two decades.”
Tweety says becoming a citizen changed the course of her family’s future.
“It gave me stability, and it gave my children a foundation to succeed,” she said.
Her daughter, now a first-generation college graduate, recently earned her degree in psychology from the University of Texas at Austin, and her son is studying engineering.
The proud mother shared one small regret: “I never changed my name. I didn’t want a big change, but it is an option that I didn’t consider until later,” she said.
She leaves others with this advice:
“I think today, it’s very important to become a citizen. With the current climate, it’s almost like people look down on you if you’re not. Don’t wait. Do it for your family and for your future.”
Here are more resources to aid you on your path to citizenship:
https://houston.naturalizenow.org/resources
